Power steering and propelling mechanism



Jan. 4, 1949. F, JOHNSON' 2,458,177

" POWER S'iEERING AND PROPELLING MECHANISM 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Feb. 28, 1945 Jan. 4, 1949.

Filed Feb. 28, 1945 J. F. JOHNSON POWER STEERING AND PROPELLING MECHANISM 2 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 4, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POWER STEERING AND PROPELLING MECHANISM John Frank Johnson, Ludington, Mich. Application February 28, 1945, Serial No. 580,247

17 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a propeller control apparatus which adapts the propeller for reversing and steering either in reverse or forward directions.

Second, to provide a control apparatus of this character in which the propeller may be swung throughout 360 degrees.

Third, to provide a control apparatus having these advantages which is simple in structure and easily operated, the mechanism being driven from the prime mover.

Fourth, toprovide an indicator meansfor use in an apparatus of the character described in which the positions of adjustment of the propeller, both forward and reverse, are indicated, showing the course of the ship both forward and reverse, the indicating pointers being so arranged that one is concealed when the other is in view of the operator. l

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a control apparatus embodying the invention, certain of the parts being shown conventionally.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view mainly in vertical section showing details of the propeller and its support and the driving connections for the propeller and certain details of the steering mechanism.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in horizontal section on'line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3-A is a fragmentary view partially in horizontal section illustrating details of the driving and reversing gearing for controlling the propeller support.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view mainly in vertical section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3 showing details of the indicator.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view partially in section on the broken line 5-5 of' Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged section on line 1-1 of Fig. 3.

In the accompanying drawings, no attempt has been made to illustrate the parts in their relative proportion and certain of the parts are shown conventionally.

In the accompanying prime mover in the form of an drawings l represents the internal combus- 19 to constitute a tion engine. The shaft 2 of the propeller 3 is mounted in a support 4 rotatable upon and depending from the bearing member 5 carried by the gear box 6. The engine shaft 1 is provided with a beveled gear 8 meshing with a gear 9 on the propeller shaft Ill. The particular details of the driving connection form no part of the present invention except that the propeller support designated generally by the numeral 4 is rotatable and its axis is perpendicular to the propeller shaft. The lower endof the shaft I0 is connected to the propeller shaft by the coacting gears II.

The rotatable propeller support is provided with a worm gear I2 arranged in a suitable housing 13, this worm gear being driven through the worm M on the shaft 15. This shaft 15 extends into the gear box IE and is provided with a driven beveled gear I1 meshing with a pair of driving gears I8 rotatably mounted on the shaft Hi. The shaft I9 is connected to a driving shaft 20 by means of belts 2| and 22 and suitable coacting pulleys, this properly gearing down the shaft driving shaft for the propeller adjusting mechanism.

The shaft I3 is provided with a double cone driving clutch element 23 mounted thereon for axial movement but rotating therewith. The gears 18 are provided with coacting cone clutch elements 24, the clutch element 23 being selectively engageable with either clutch element 24 and thereby driving the gear H in either direction.

The shaft I5 is provided with a bearing 25 for the pulley 26. This pulley has an elongated hub 21 with a diagonally disposed slot 28 therein receiving the pin 29 on the bearing so that as the pulley is rotated in either direction from the initial position shown in Fig. 3 it is shifted axially in one direction or the other. This axial movement is utilized to. control the shiftable clutch member 23, the shifting lever 30 being provided with a suitable fork engaging the shifting collar 3| having ball bearing connection with the clutch element 23. This shifting lever is and is connected by the link 34 to the hub of the pulley 26, the connection being effected by means of the ring '35 engaging the forks 36 on the lever 34.

The pulley is rotated on its bearings by the cable 31 extending from the pulley 28 of the steering wheel 39 so that as the steering wheel is rotated in either direction from its central or straight-ahead position, the pulley 26 is rotated and shifted axially thereby engaging the driving clutch element with either one or the other of pivoted at 32 "-ing gears "disposed the gears is thereby driving the shaft I and through the worm I4 thereon the gear l2 and thereby rotating the propeller support in one direction or the other In the embodiment illustrated the propeller support may be rotated through 360 degrees so that the propeller may not only be adjusted as a steering propeller in a forward direction but also for steeningiin reverse. 7 7 f In order that the helmsman =may 'knowziust what position the propeller is in, I provide an indicator consisting, in the embodiment illustrated, of a casing 40 having a ifront paneldi :of glass. Spindles 4'2 and 43 are casing in spaced parallel'relation and connected by the driving gears 44. vided with a pointer 45 arrangedeonithefispindles as shown in the drawings. The gears 44 are in meshing relation with .a result that onesp'indl'e is driven in one direction and the other in the opposite iiirection. 'The casing is "provided tvith a "front fllB 'havingsegment'al oppositely curved slots'M -thereinAthere being a slot associate'd with each "pointer. Each-slo't hasa scale or indicia associated therewithi v It will be noted that with this -arrangement only one pointer. iswisibieat a time. The pointer asso diate'd with the upper slot would indicate the forward p'ositionsdif th-e propeller-while theother would'indicate the reverse posrtions of the=propeller; It sheen b'e ncited that the forward posi- -tion or the=pointer ='is the =reverse of the propeller, whereas the stern position is in the same rela- "tion' to the propeller; "The indicators are driven ug-h 'fiihe flexible shaft &8 the end of the shaft, as

from the --sha5fit H 5 th-ro wliifih is cor'mected to shown in Fig. 3, 'and'provided with a worm- 4$ '5) in I driving engagement with one of the gears 44. I his flexible shaft also shown-con- 'ventionally. v v

FWi th =tliis arrangement of partsfy-a' power (drive is provided for the "control mechanism and very littleeliort is req1iired the part o'i' the steersman or helmsman. The cont-r61 -'d=evi'ce enables "a universal control er *meli'a -nism may be very 'readily embodied-in or adapted tweXisting types ofpropllersbl' ZE'hai/"e illustrated anddesorib'e'd my invention in a very praotioal embodiment" thereof. notattempte'd' to 'illu adaptations and modifications "which =1 contemplate and which might be desirable for particiil ar propellers having -'structura'-1 'features p'eculiar "thereto as -itis believed that this disclosure will -enable those skilled an the art to -'en'ib -'a'dap't'-my' invention as (may be desired. 4

FI-Iaving thus described my invention, whatI claim as mew-and desire to "secure "by Letters Patena is-z 1. The-ccnibinati'on'dfapropeller provided-with -a-support -rotatable through 360 on "an axis perpendicular to the axi-s 'df "the propeller, a worm .t'gearonsaid"propellersupportadrivingworm co- 'acting{therewithfashaft' for said'worm provided 'with' abevled 'drivengear, a pair'of beveled drivin opposed*coacting' relation with said "beveled "driven gears and 'proi' idedwith opposed cone clutch elements, a driving shaftfor 'saiddriv'inggeara-adriving cone clutch element 'mouri'ted'onsaiddrivingshaftbetween said driven i "clutch"elements 'for --neue-a1 wpos'itioning or "s'le'cft'ive engagement 'therewit-h, on tsaid worm 'shaftprovide gp'in, 'a pulley'providedwitnahubmotatable onsa'id a "cam slot c'oactin'g' "with bearing "and having Each spindle is 'pro- 4 a a said pin whereby rotation of the pulley imparts axial movement thereto, a shifting lever for said driving clutch member, a link connecting said pulley hub to said shifting lever, a steering wheel having cable connection to said pulley, and an indicator comprising a casing having curved segmental oppositely disposed windows having indicia associated therewith, spindles mounted on :saidicasing and each providedtwi'tha pointer disposed the same relation thereon, each pointer being associated with one of the Windows, meshing gears connectin mounted inv this g said spindles whereby the ipointsrare driven in opposite direction, and a :driving connection for said worm shaft to one of said spindle gears whereby the forward position or "the "propeller is indicated by one pointer] 'throughouta -range of 180 and the other pointer indicates its reversing positions thr range of 180.

2. The combination of a propeller provided with a, support-rotatableithmugh 350. on .=an axisiperpendiciilar (to gear on:saili' propellerasupportgaidriyin'gawormcoating therewithpa shaft for 'isaidiworm provided oughout a Witlna beveledidiiivemgear; arpairzoi dieveledmlriv- Ir-ing' gears adisposed intoppnsed :coacting relation with said beveled drivemgeamsmnd'provided :with oppos'ed clutc h elements,;azdrivingzclutcmelement mounted betweensaid driven clutchtelementsafor neutraLpOs'itioning:oriselective en'gagementztherewith, a bearing mounted.on -:saidwvorm .sha'it; .a pulley-providediwithiaihubirotatable :on said bearing :and having 'za cam engagement therewith whereby rotation :of ethe pulley .aimp'arts :axial movemen tithes-etc;a shiitingileverdor said driving clu'tch member, a link conne'ctingfisaid apulley hub to said-shifting lever, a steering wheel :having cable connedtion to said rpulley, :andan dndicato'r comprising a casing having cunved segmental oppositely-disposedWindows having iindicia'iassociate'd therewith;spindles moun'ted on saidcasing ody *or v gear:on 'said@ropellersupport, a drivingworm coactin'gthereWitn a t'hfft' 'f driving clutch 'member,'-a 'pull'ey' hub '-to'-*saiil-ehi'fting lever, 'and a steering thepropeller-and-the eontrol lfigears con-necting -said pointers are driven in opposite directions,l and2:a

ar-id "ea'ch tproviiled -with $3. :pointer disposed in the same relation thereon, eachmoiriteriibeing associated withu-one of -the windows, zmeshing *spine'lles whereby the indicates i-ts--revez=s"ing positions ithroughout a range-erase; a r 3; Thecemrilcination one, propellenprovided with a support rotatable through 360 on anaxis' perpendicular 'to fthe aiiis of the' propeller, :a worm r said wormzprovided *with a beveleddriven gearfa pairof beveled driving gears disposed -oppesed coacting relation with said beveled driven gears=andzprovidediwith '-opposed-cone-olutchelements,-=a-driving:shaft for i said 'dr-iving gears, a-driving cone elutch element mounted on said driving shaft between said 'driven clutch elements ffor neutral positioning orxselective engagement therewith; a bearing mounted 'on'said*'worm shaftprovided-with a projectin 7 p n, pulley provided "with a hub rotatable on -saidbearing 'and iraving a cam slot coacting with saidpin whereby rotation of the pulley imparts "axial 'mo'vement thereto, a sliifting lever for-said 'link manned-ting said wheel having cable connetion' to esaid' 'pulley.

with-a=supportdebatable-through 360 =on aneeis i :poin'ter g perpendicular to the axis of the propeller, a worm gear on said propeller support, a driving worm coacting therewith, a shaft for said worm provided with a beveled driven gear, a pair of beveled driving gears disposed in opposed coacting relation with said beveled driven gears and provided with opposed clutch elements, a driving clutch element mounted between said driven clutch elements for neutral positioning or selective engagement therewith, a bearing mounted on said worm shaft, a pulley provided with a hub rotatable on said bearing and having a cam engagement therewith whereby rotation of the pulley imparts axial movement thereto, a shifting lever for said driving clutch member, a link connecting said pulley hub to said shifting lever, and a steering wheel having cable connection to said pulley.

5. The combination of a propeller provided with a rotatable support, a worm gear on said propeller support, a driving worm coasting therewith, a shaft for said worm provided with a beveled driven gear, a pair of beveled driving gears disposed in opposed coacting relation with said beveled gears and provided with opposed clutch elements, a driving shaft for said driving gears, a driving clutch element mounted on said driving shaft between said driven clutch elements for neutral positioning or selective engagement there- .with, a bearing mounted on said worm shaft pro vided with a projecting pin, a pulley provided with a hub rotatable on said bearing and having a cam slot coacting with said pin whereby rotation of the pulley imparts axial movement thereto, a shifting lever for said driving clutch member, a link connecting said pulley hub to said shifting lever, a steering member having cable connection to said pulley, and an indicator comprising spindles each provided with a pointer and each having indicia associated therewith, driving connections for said spindles, and a driving connection for said worm shaft to said spindles whereby the forward position of the propeller is indicated by one pointer and the other pointer indicates its reversing positions, said pointers being arranged so that one is covered when the other is exposed.

6. The combination of a propeller provided with a rotatable support, a worm gear on said propeller support, a driving worm coacting therewith, a shaft for said worm provided with a beveled driven gear, a pair of beveled driving gears disposed in opposed coacting relation with said beveled gears and provided with opposed clutch elements, a driving shaft for said driving gears, a driving clutch element mounted on said driving shaft between said driven clutch elements for neutral positioning or selective engagement therewith, a bearing mounted on said worm shaft provided with a projecting pin, a pulley provided with a hub rotatable on said bearing and having a cam slot coacting with said pin whereby rotation of the pulley imparts axial movement thereto, a shifting lever for said driving clutch member, a link connecting said pulley hub to said shifting lever, and a steering member having cable connection to said pulley.

'7. The combination of a propeller provided with a support rotatable through 360 on an axis perpendicular to the axis of the propeller, means for rotating said propeller support comprising a reversing gearing including a shiftable reversing element having a neutral position, and driving connections for said reversing gearing to said propeller support including a shaft having a bearing thereon provided with a projecting pin, a

pulley provided with a hub rotatable on said bearing and having a cam slot coacting with said pin whereby rotation of the pulley imparts axial movement thereto, a shifting lever for said reversing element member, a link connecting said pulley hub to said shifting lever, a steering member having cable connections to said pulley, and an indicator comprising a casing having curved segmental oppositely disposed windows having indicia associated therewith, spindles mounted on said casing and each provided with a pointer disposed in the same relation thereon, each pointer being associated with one of the windows, meshing gears connecting said spindles whereby the pointers are driven in opposite directions, and a driving connection for said shaft to one of said spindle gears whereby the forward positions of the propeller are indicated by one pointer throughout a range of and the other pointer indicates its reversing positions throughout a range of 180.

8. The combination of a propeller provided with a support, means for rotating said propeller support comprising a reversing gearing including a shiftable reversing element having a neutral po sition, and driving connections for said reversing gearing to said propeller support including a shaft having a bearing thereon provided with a projecting pin, a pulley provided with a hub rotatable on said bearing and having a cam slot ooacting with said pin whereby rotation of the pulley imparts axial movement thereto, a shifting lever for said reversing element member, a link connecting said pulley hub to said shifting lever, and a steering member having cable connections to said pulley.

9. The combination of a steering and reversing proptller provided with a support, means for rotating said propeller support comprising a reversing gearing including a shiftable reversing ele ment having a neutral position, and driving connections for said reversing gearing to said propeller support, a steering member, means operatively connecting said steering member to said reversing element, and an indicator comprising a casing having curved segmental oppositely disposed windows having indicia associated therewith, spindles mounted on said casing and each provided with a pointer disposed in the same relation thereon, each pointer being associated with one of the windows, meshing gears connecting said spindles whereby the pointers are driven in opposite directions, and a driving connection for the driven element of said reversing gear to one of said spindle gears whereby the forward positions of the propeller are indicated by one pointer and the other pointer indicates its reversing positions.

10. The combination of a propeller provided with a rotatable support, means for rotating said propeller support comprising a reversing gearing including a shiftable reversing element having a neutral position, and driving connections for said reversing gearing to said propeller. support including a shaft, a steering member, means operatively connecting said steering member, to said reversing element, an indicator comprising spindles each provided with a pointer and each having indicia associated therewith, driving connections for said spindles, and a driving connection for said shaft to said spindles whereby the forward positions of the propeller are indicated by one pointer and the other pointer indicates its reversing positions, means associated with said pointers, so that one is covered when the other is exposed.

11. The combination of a propeller provided aneaanzz with; a rota-table'support, means for rotating said propeller support comprising a reversing gearing including a shiftablereversing. elementhaving a neutral position, and driving connections for said reversing gearing. to'said'. propeller sup.- port including a shaft,.a steering: member, means operatively connecting said-steering. member to said reversing element, and; an: indicator comprisinga pointer having indicia associatedtherewith, and a driving connection for said shaftto said pointer whereby the positions of the; propeller are indicated.

12. The combination of.- a propeller provided with arotatable support, means'forrotating said propeller support: comprising areversing gearing including a shiftable reversing element having a neutral position, and driving connections for said reversing gearing to said propellersupport including a shaft having a bearing thereon, a pulley rotatable on said bearing and having a pin and slot connection thereto, the slot being inclined so-that on the rotation of the pulley on its bearing axial movement is imparted to the pulley, operating connections for said pulley to said reversing element, a steering member, a cable extending from said steering member around said pulley, an indicator comprising a pair of pointers, each having indicia associated therewith, driving connection for said pointers whereby they are simultaneously actuated, and driving connections from saidshaft to said pointers, said driving connectionsbeing such that one pointer indicates forward positions of the propeller and the other reversing positions: thereof, means associated withsaid pointers so that one pointer is covered when the other isexposed.

13. The combination of" a propeller provided with a rotatable support, means for rotatingsaid propeller support comprising a reversing gearing including a shiftable reversing element having. a neutral position, and driving connections for said reversing gearing to said propeller support including a shaft, asteering member, operatingconnections for said steering member to said reversing element, an indicator comprising apair of pointers, each having indicia associated therewith, driving connections for said pointers whereby they are simultaneously actuated, and driving connections fromsaid shaft to said pointers, said driving connections being such that one pointer indicates forwardpositions of the propeller and the other reversing positions thereof, means associated with said pointersso'that one pointer 'iscoverecl when the other is exposed.

14'. The combination of a propeller provided with a rotatable support, means for rotating said propeller support comprising a reversing gearing including a shiftable reversing'element having a neutral position, and 'driving connections-for said reversinggearing to said propeller support including a shaft having a bearing thereon; a pulley rotatable on said bearing and having a connection thereto whereby on the rotation of the pulley onits bearing axialmovem'ent'is imparted to the pulley, operating connections for said'pulleyto said: reversing element, a steering member,

a. cable connecting said. steering member to said pulley, an indicator comprising: a pair of pointers,

each having indicia. associated: therewitln. driving connections for said pointers: whereby than are simultaneously actuated, and. driving; connections' from saidr'shaft .to said; pointers, said driving connections-being such, thaty'one pointer indicates forward positions: of: the propeller and the other. reversing; positions. thereof.

15. The combination of..a, propellerprovided with. a rotatable? support, means. for rotatingsaid propeller support comprising; a reversin gearing including a: shiftable reversing: element. having. a neutral position, and .driving' connections for said reversing: gearing to said: propeller support in:- cluding a shaft having a. bearing thereon aapulley' rotatable on said: heating and. having. aiconnection thereto whereby on the rotation of the pulley on its. bearingaxiali movementisimparted to the pulley," operating: connections for said pulley to said reversing element, a ste'erin'g'member; and a cable connectin said' steering member. to said pulley- Y 16; The combination of a propelier provided with a rotatable support, meangfor: rotating said propeller support comprising a: reversing gearing including" a shiitable reversing element having aneutral, position, and driving connectionsfor said reversing gearing to said propeller support, arotatable and axially-movable pulley; means for movin said pulley axially on the rotationthereof, operating connections forsaid puIl'e-yto said reversing element, a' steering member, a cable connecting said steering'member to said pulley, an indicator comprising'a pair of pointers, each having indicia associated therewith, and driving connections for said pointers to'said driving connection for said reversing gearing to said propeller support, said driving connections being such that one pointer indicates forward positions of t-liepropellerand theother-reversing posit-ions thereof. V

17. The combination of a propeller provided with a rotatable support, means-for rotating said propeller support comprising a reversing gearing including a shiftable reversing element having a neutral position, and driving connections for said reversing gearing to said propeller support, a rotatable'and axially movable pulley, meansfor moving said pulley axially on the'rotation'thereof; operatingconnections for said pulley to said reversing'el'ement, a st'eeringmember, and a cable connecting said steering member to said pulley.

J GHNSON:

REFERENCES CITED I i The following references. are of record in the filev of" this patent:

UNITED PATENTS Number Name Date 537,124 Noury Apr. 9, 1895 1,458,174 Fizen'an' J'une12, 1923 2,362,178 Walker Nov. '7, 1944 FOREIGN PA'JZ'ENTSv Number 'Country Date 304,012- Germany Feb. 1 9, 1918 444,917 France Aug. 20, 1912 

